District of Innovation

District of Innovation

Background

At their May 16, 2016 meeting, the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees adopted a resolutionto initiate the process of exploring the option of designating GISD as a District of Innovation.

The 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1842, which allows traditional public school districts to exempt themselves from certain education laws if they have a District of Innovation designation. To access the exemptions, a school district must adopt an innovation plan in accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), chapter 12A.

The GISD Board of Trustees held a public hearing on June 20, 2016, regarding the District of Innovation process. They will be voting on whether or not to continue pursuit of the District of Innovation designation at their July 25, 2016 regular board meeting.

Mission

Inspiring and empowering
every learner to lead, grow, and serve.

Vision

Home of the most inspired
students, served by the most empowered leaders.

GISD
Strategic Plan

The
GISD District of Innovation initiative fits within Strategy 2, Strategy 4, and Strategy
5 of the district’s strategic plan.

Strategy 2: We will
inspire and invite community and corporate engagement.

Strategy 5: We will
redesign our learning model to include customization and innovation at all
levels.

Through
the DOI opportunities, GISD may choose to seek specific innovations in relation
to flexible curriculum, unique instruction methods, parent and community
involvement, and budgeting options.

What
is a District of Innovation?

The
District of Innovation concept is part of Texas House Bill 1842, passed during
the 84th Legislative Session in 2014, and allows traditional school
districts the opportunity to utilize flexible operation strategies similar
to open­-enrollment charter schools.

The Georgetown community is invited to attend a public meeting hosted by the GISD District Performance Council (DPC) to consider the final version of the proposed District of Innovation (DOI) exemption plan. Details of the proposed DOI plan can be found on the district’s website, www.georgetownisd.org.

On February 8, 2017, the district advisory committee (locally called District Performance Council) held a public meeting to review the District of Innovation plan. Following the public meeting, the DPC approved the plan by a majority vote.

The GISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the District of Innovation plan on February 8, 2017. As required by
19 TAC §102.1307 (d), Georgetown Independent School District submitted a letter notifying the Commissioner of Education of the district's destination as a District of Innovation and provided a copy of the DOI plan.